Police called during Rojales party meeting row

A MEETING of a Rojales political party ended in chaos, according to the party president.

On Wednesday, December 7, 2011, local political party GRIP, the Grupo Independiente De Rojales, called a General Meeting for fully paid up members only, which ended with Police intervention when former Party Secretary and founder Josef Weiske attempted to attend the meeting.

Party President Colin Timms explained: “The plan was to hold a short, business meeting and because trouble was expected in the form of a bid to steal the Party, the Committee took care to ask members for a Proxy vote beforehand.

This was to ensure that if loyal members were too busy, it is, after all, the Christmas season, then should that attempt at a takeover be made, there would be Proxy votes held by the President, which could help to defeat it.

Members knew that they need not actually attend, and that a report would appear on the website.” Weiske, a founder of the Party in 2005, resigned from GRIP just before the May 2011 elections to move his allegiance to the Socialist PSOE party severing his four year alliance with the conservative PP, who were the local government at the time.

However his decision was taken too late enable him to be added to the socialist PSOE party list for the 2011 election and he was not offered any post after the elections were over.

On Monday December 5, a small group of people entered the GRIP office in Quesada wishing to pay their subscriptions for 2011, to allow them to attend the General Meeting.

They were informed that after Weiske resigned from GRIP in May 2011, that it had become necessary to reorganize some aspects of the Party, one of these being that subscriptions and membership applications now close at the end of September, which was unbeknown to this group. They were informed of the situation and left the premises.

At the General Meeting on Wednesday December 7, just a few party members attended. They voted positively for the existing Committee to return to lead the party.

Meanwhile, outside Party HQ, Pen Taylor said “a group, led by Weiske, tried to gain access to the meeting which caused much distress to members who attended legitimately.

The baying mob had to be removed by the Police as they refused to leave when requested.” Colin Timms added that “GRIP would like to thank all our loyal members, apologize for the fracas, which was none of our making, and wish A Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to you all.”

Meanwhile, legal advice is being sought relating to Weiske’s behaviour, they said. Josef Weiske was unavailable for comment.